Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Christmas has now come and gone. Time went by so quickly, I feel like I didn't have the chance to truly enjoy it as I would have liked to. Now we are coming into the New Year, and new hopes for a fun creative year. I'd like to share some of the most memorable gifts I've given and received. Enjoy!

Oh, Guido. This was given to my knitting buddy. He is handcrafted with love by my sister Arelene Browne, from Salem His name is Guido. I bought him while I was visiting in Mass. She had her Guido's for sale through the Salem Arts Association. She has a few more for sale at Crunchy Granola Baby. Sorry, no web site available yet. Maybe an Etsy shop soon???

Vase from Jonathan Adler for my cousin. Oh, how I love having a reason to visit the Jonathan Alder store on Fillmore. It was so difficult to choose, but I finally chose this one since I loved the combination of smooth and texture. If you are ever in the neighborhood please visit the store. There's always something new to see, and the people there are the most delightful.

This was a painting for my sister who has a strange obsession for Mexican wrestlers. If found this during the Renegade Craft Fair. The artist's name is Annie Galvin. She has the most amazing paintings. I first came across her while reading an interview of her on SFgirlbyBay. I remember most a photo of her paintings in a random, but thoughtful manner on a wall. My first thought was how strangely interesting each individual painting was.

Last, but not least. My teapot set from my wonderful boyfriend who somehow guessed that it was all i wanted. I walked into Anthropologie with him a week before to find that they were all gone!!! I don't know how he could ever have known before that day...

Happy Holiday Shortbread

I decided to make some shortbread cookies for co workers this weekend. This recipe is from the Tartine by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson. Oh, how I love this book. This is only the second recipe that I have attempted to make, but the many photos of pasties and goodies... oh it's like baked good heaven. I had a taste by batch of shortbread while it was slightly warm... and WOW, it was delicious. Not for the calorie watching person, just to forewarn.. it's literally like baked butter!

A healthier type of Labbit

So I couldn't help myself. This is Labbit. He is someones Christmas gift this year, but I couldn't help taking him out of the box and playing with him. I think he's a pretty hungry dude. The burger looks tasty.

but apparently the burger wasn't enough to satisfy his hunger.....

Maybe we should just zip his mouth!

WHo, Who??

hoo are you looking at?????

Anthropologie Inspired....

Oh, how much i love Anthropologie.....You can imagine how thrilled I was to find a free pattern of this Anthropologie inspired capelet by Julia Allen. I know this was inspired by a sweater a few years ago, but the same one was for sale in Anthropologie just a month or two ago. I didn't buy it because thought.... "hmmm, I bet I can make that." I made mine out of Lamb's Pride bulky in a pretty silver grey. The pin I found in a antique flea market for $5. I think this will be perfect for thanksgiving.

NoteBook Obsession

Anyone who knows me knows my obsession for notebooks. Partly my desire to be organized, but mostly for the funky graphic images I come across. This is the newest acquisition that I picked up from Atomic Garden. The notebook is from Ecojot, and you can check out their 2008 line on their site. This one is a kid's sketchpad. I thought it would be perfect for drawing my craft ideas in. The smaller one is where i keep information for future knitting projects.

Haven

I'm working on a scarf called Haven. The pattern is from Heartfelt: The Dark House Collection by Kim Hargreaves. I decided to alter it by making the scarf thinner than the original pattern. I decided to make one pattern repeat instead of 2. It still makes a nice thick long scarf, but you will only need 3 balls of Rowan Cocoon instead of the 4 the pattern calls for.

I

The Friendly Toast

If you every find yourself in Portsmouth NH, you must visit The Friendly Toast. It is my all time favorite breakfast place. You must know,however, that if you are completely dedicated to your diet (whatever..), this is not the place for you.This place is the epitome of kitsch. What a great collection of 1950's toys, posters, and icons displayed on the walls. Every time you go, you'll find something new!
And the food is amazing. I had the eggs in a hole.....
and we shared the almond joy pancakes. Oh heavenly!

Cabled Sweater

Ta Da! I've been blocking the sweater, and now it is finally dry that I can try it on. I love it! Very impressed by how it came out. The yarn completely relaxed after bocking and the cables are nice and flat. Can't wait to wear it out. The pattern is from the premiere issue of Debbie Bliss magazine. It is a great feeling when a sweater you've put tears and sweat into comes out perfect!

Rainy Day in Oakland

Another rainy day, and a great day for baking. Today's baked good of the day are rasberry crumb bars. Mmmmm... Here are the crumb bars before..

and after...

yummy!

Salem Arts

A handmade monster from my sister Arelene Browne. She has been making some similar to these that are now for sale out and around Salem Mass..

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Originally uploaded by sfcitychik

This is one of the sculpures Dan Browne had on display at the Salem Arts Gallery. He has become the mascot for the Salem Arts Association. Hopefully someone will take him home. You can check out the rest of his work in ScrewLooseStudio.

Home From Vacation

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Originally uploaded by sfcitychik

Uggh!! Home from vacation, back to work again. It is nice to come home and find this prtty cat waiting for me at the door. She was so mad I was gone. She has not left me alone since. What a cuddly shlop.

Institute of Contemporary Arts

I was fortunate to visit the Institute of Contemporary Arts in Boston a few days ago. We saw the works of Tara Donovan. She uses everyday objects in her installations to create organic shapes. Simply amazing. Sorry, could not take any photos as they were not allowed....

White Masks

We came across this while walking on Canal St in the North End. Not sure what this building entrance was, but what an amazing display of masks

Vacation Knitting

Gotta love vacations! While here in sunny( cold!) Salem, Mass I've finished a hat, my sweater!!!!, and now on to a cabled beanie. It's been fantastic. The many things you could do on the train ride from Salem to Boston.... and back. This was my commuter rail hat in Aquarella. My yarn fix from Windsor Buttons in Boston. Completed between train rides in one day. Loved the colors! Such a great match to my Onitsuka Tigers. in griffin/shadow purple. Grrr..

Starting over

Once again... another attempt to start my own blog. This time, I will try to stick to it. I've had too many projects that I have finished over the past year and no one to share it with (well.. not quite true). Anyway, to anyone reading, I hope you enjoy!